If you only need more space for frozen food, choose a separate freezer to suit the space available and the way you access your food: a chest freezer is ideal for large stocks, an upright freezer makes it easier to organise food you use regularly, and a compact model provides extra capacity when you need it. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of a larger fridge freezer with that of a separate appliance. In all cases, check the installation dimensions, permitted ambient temperature, annual energy consumption and stated storage time during a power cut for the specific model.
If you buy in bulk or freeze larger items, usable capacity and available space matter more than being able to reach every item straight away. A chest freezer could be a good choice if you’re happy to organise food stored at the bottom more carefully, as Darty points out.
If you open your freezer often, an upright model lets you sort food across different levels and find what you need more easily. Check the internal layout, dimensions and storage time during a power cut for each model; features such as No Frost vary from one model to another.
If floor space is limited or the appliance needs to go in an unheated room, measure the space and check the manual. The permitted ambient temperature range varies by model: guidance from Beko or Liebherr for some chest freezers does not apply to every freezer.
Consider one if: you need to store large quantities or bulky food and have enough room for a lid that opens upwards.
The trade-off: according to Darty, food at the bottom of the freezer is less easy to reach.
Consider one if: you use frozen food regularly and want to organise it in drawers or on shelves.
The trade-off: check that your bulkiest items will fit in the compartments and that the door can open where you plan to put it.
Consider one if: you need extra freezer space but have limited room.
The trade-off: make sure the capacity and space for larger packs meet your needs; also check the clearances specified in the manual.
Consider one if: you also need to replace your fridge and would rather have both functions in one appliance.
The trade-off: according to UFC-Que Choisir, fridge freezers come in different sizes. Compare their freezer capacity with the extra space you need rather than relying on the total capacity alone.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and pack sizes | Compare the usable capacity in litres and the space available for your bulkiest packs. | If I freeze large quantities, I want usable storage space without having to split food between small compartments. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this need for capacity. |
| Access and organisation | Look at the drawers or baskets, how flexible the layout is and the cooling system used in the model. | When I get frozen food every day, I want to find what I’ve stored quickly. Easy access would be a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Installation | Measure the access route, the space and the door opening; check the room temperature against the range permitted in the manual. | In a tight space or an unheated room, the first priority is finding an appliance that suits the conditions. Around 23% of consumers would prioritise this compatibility. |
| Energy use and power cuts | Check the kWh/year on the energy label and the stated storage time in hours for each model. | If I add an appliance that runs continuously, I want to know how much energy it uses and how long it will keep food frozen during a power cut. This would be the main concern for around 15% of consumers. |
According to Darty, a chest freezer can hold bulky food, but items at the bottom are harder to reach. Without a good system, it can also be harder to keep track of what’s inside.
Keep the deepest areas for food you use less often, group items by type and use the baskets supplied with the model.
Whether a freezer can be used in a cold room depends on the model. Beko says some Freezer Guard chest freezers can operate down to -15 °C, while Liebherr describes FrostProtect on certain chest freezers as suitable for unheated rooms. These claims do not apply to every model in either range.
Compare the likely room temperatures with the ambient temperature range given in the product specifications and manual for the model you’re considering.
Annual energy consumption and storage time during a power cut are two different measures. Whirlpool gives a figure of 247 kWh/year and 32 h of storage time for the WHM4612, while Bosch states 12 h for the GSN58AWEV. These figures relate to different models, not the overall performance of each type of freezer.
Compare the energy label, kWh/year, usable capacity and storage time of models that meet your storage needs.
Adding a freezer means using electricity continuously. The annual kWh figure helps you assess the running cost.
An appliance may fit in the space you’ve chosen but still not pass through a doorway, or there may not be enough room to open its lid or door.
Measure the route to the room, all three dimensions of the space, the opening clearance and any other clearances required by the manual.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding upright freezer and prioritise vertical storage and an organised interior.
Worth considering if you need a chest freezer for an unheated room, provided you choose a suitable model.
Worth considering if you’re planning to put a chest freezer in an unheated cellar or garage.
Worth considering when comparing the features of a high-capacity chest freezer with those of a No Frost upright model.
Yes, for the large appliances covered by the regulations. According to ADEME, the energy label required by law must be displayed both in shops and online. Check the label for the model you’re considering to compare its annual energy consumption, among other details.
No. It depends on the ambient temperature range permitted for the specific model. Beko says some Freezer Guard chest freezers can operate down to -15 °C, and Liebherr describes FrostProtect on certain chest freezers as suitable for unheated rooms. Always check the product specifications and manual for the model you choose.
No, the stated storage time varies by model. Bosch gives 12 h for the GSN58AWEV; Whirlpool gives 24 h for the UW8F2DWHBIN2 and 32 h for the WHM4612. These manufacturer figures don’t show that one type of freezer will always keep food frozen for longer.
Compare the annual consumption in kWh given for each model, while also taking usable capacity and your storage needs into account. The energy label helps you read these figures; don’t rely on the rating letter alone when comparing appliances with different capacities.